Hinge for controlled door closing and opening with damper

ABSTRACT

The object of the invention is the hinge for controlled door closing and opening with damper which solves the technical problem of smooth and controlled closing and opening of the door before the end positions of the hinge, i.e. the open or closed position of the door. The damper fit surface (25) and the damper head fit surface (26) are always in contact with two of the limiting surfaces, i.e. two of the following: the damper stop on the housing for closing (21), the damper stop on the housing for opening (22), the damper stop on the guide for opening (23) and the damper stop on the guide for closing (24), whereby the damper (5) in the initial position constantly applies force in the direction of extension, meaning that the damper (5) constantly applies force to increase the distance between the damper fit surface (25) and the damper head fit surface (26), whereas the hinge guide (3) is dimensioned in such a way that the distance between the damper stop on the guide for opening (23) and the damper stop on the guide for closing (24) is smaller than the maximum distance between the damper fit surface (25) and the damper head fit surface (26).

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

Closing of doors on stoves and other cooking appliances; closing of doors on kitchen appliances; hinges for door closing; suspension; damping; damper.

Technical Problem

The devices for industrial or domestic use are becoming increasingly more advanced. In order to ensure competitiveness on the market, increasingly improved devices must be manufactured for reasonable costs, and appropriate components must be ensured for the assembly of such devices, the manufacturing or purchasing costs of which should allow their integration into the product.

With kitchen appliances, such as stoves, ovens, dishwashers and refrigerator and freezer units, hinges must be installed to:

-   -   ensure the required force though the entire area of door         opening, since the doors on these appliances have a rather large         mass due to their dimensions. With inappropriate hinges, in         particular in the event of fast door opening with the fully         opened (approximately 90°) or fully closed angle (0°), a thrust         on the hinges and on the appliance may occur;     -   ensure a soft closing and opening of the door;     -   hinges must have small dimensions, long lifetime and be         affordable, while their possible servicing must be as simple as         possible.

STATE OF THE ART

Door closing hinges are generally well known, since they have been on the market for decades. More advanced types of hinges have also been used for decades, both for controlled closing of builders' joinery, closing of vehicle door, as well as closing of various devices.

The doors on some devices, such as a stove and a dishwasher, open downwards, whereby the hinges must be installed on the axle or near the axle that joins the device with its door. In addition to the appropriate load-bearing capacity, the hinge must also ensure an even adjusting of the angle between the device and the device door.

WO2009033960 discloses a solution of a hinge for soft door opening or closing, where the damper is integrated into the hinge housing. When the hinge is positioned near the door closing and opening position of the hinge, a hinge guide starts to apply pressure on the hinge, whereby the damper bears the load and ensures soft door closing or opening.

EP 2474786 discloses a solution of a hinge for soft door opening or closing, whereby the damper is moving between damper stops. When the damper comes into contact with one of the damper stops, a slight thrust or discontinuity in the force inside the hinge occurs.

EP1287222 displays a solution of controlled closing of stove door. An even door closing is provided by the curved section in the latch, designed to distribute the load more evenly through the entire area of opening of the stove door. For a proper operation, an additional guide track in the hinge is installed to ensure the proper position of the guide rod. In addition, the said patent does not solve the problem of damping for soft door opening or closing. In EP2284344 and US2010148646, the problem of a more even transfer of load from the translatory movement into a suitable movement for door opening is solved by a curved section on the so-called moving arm (an added external element with a formed curved section) which allows the movement of the roller.

The device according to the invention ensures a sufficient force throughout the entire working range of the hinge and damping of thrusts before the end positions of the device or the end positions of closing or opening of the appliance door.

DESCRIPTION OF NEW INVENTION

The object of the invention is the hinge for controlled door closing and opening with damper which ensures a smooth and controlled closing and opening of the door before the end positions of the hinge, i.e. the open or closed position of the door. The object of the invention may be used for controlled closing and opening of any type of doors, wings or windows, while it is primarily designed for installation into kitchen appliances, such as a stove, an oven, a built-in cooking appliance, a dishwasher, cooling and other appliances.

The object of the invention solves the technical problem of controlled door closing and opening, whereby a damper is activated before the end positions of the door, i.e. the open or closed position of the door, to dampen the thrusts occurring before the end positions of the door.

The object of the invention comprises also the installation of one or more dampers for reducing the loads (forces and vibrations) directed at the axles of the hinge guide. The damper is installed in such a manner to absorb mainly the loads that are generated by the closing or opening of the door and absorb the loads that are generated before the end positions of door closing or opening.

The damper contributes to a soft (gentle) closing of the door. The function of soft closing of the door is effective at the any desired angle of the door, whereby the angle depends on the construction of hinge body and hinge guide.

The damper is installed in the device according to the invention in such a manner that it does not increase the exterior dimensions of the device, but is installed in the interior of the hinge guide that is flexibly connected to the hinge body.

The device according to the invention is compact, robust and has few components, and comprises at least:

-   -   a latch;     -   a connecting link;     -   a hinge guide;     -   a damper;     -   a hinge body;     -   a spring fit;     -   a spring;     -   a pivot point of the latch, which connects the latch with the         body;     -   a pivot point of the connecting link.

Furthermore, the device according to the invention comprises:

-   -   one, two or more dampers, preferably one damper;     -   a damper stop on the housing for closing;     -   a damper stop on the housing for closing;     -   a damper stop on the guide for opening;     -   a damper stop on the guide for closing.

The latch is rotatable in relation to the hinge body and the connecting link. Force is applied to the connecting link through the hinge guide, which causes the rotation of the latch in relation to the hinge body. The force generated by the spring is adjusted in such a way that it is balanced with the force generated by the door in motion. The damper is used to limit the movement speed of the hinge guide in certain positions, whereby the damper comes into contact with limiting surfaces (a damper stop on the housing for closing, a damper stop on the housing for opening, a damper stop on the guide for opening and a damper stop on the guide for closing) through the damper fit surface and the damper head fit surface. The connecting link is rotatable around its pivot point.

The contact surfaces of the damper, i.e. the damper fit surface and the damper head fit surface, are always in contact with two of the limiting surfaces, i.e. two of the following: a damper stop on the housing for closing, a damper stop on the housing for opening, a damper stop on the guide for opening and a damper stop on the guide for closing, whereby the damper in the initial position constantly applies force in the direction of extension, meaning that the damper constantly applies force to increase the distance between the damper fit surface and the damper head fit surface, whereas the hinge guide is dimensioned in such a way that the distance between the damper stop on the guide for opening and the damper stop on the guide for closing is smaller than the maximum distance between the damper fit surface and the damper head fit surface. Due to a constant contact of the damper fit surface and damper head fit surface with limiting surfaces, there are no thrusts in the initial stage of damper operation.

In the neutral area of functioning of the mechanism, the contact surfaces of the damper, i.e. the damper fit surface and the damper head fit surface, are constantly in contact with both limiting surfaces on the damper guide, i.e. with the damper stop on the guide for opening and the damper stop on the guide for closing.

During the opening of the door, near the open position, the damper stop on the guide for opening passes the damper stop on the housing for opening, whereby the contact surface of the damper rests on the damper stop on the housing for opening, whereas the load on the damper stop on the guide for opening is relieved.

During the closing of the door, near the closed position, the damper stop on the guide for closing passes the damper stop on the housing for closing, whereby the contact surface of the damper rests on the damper stop on the housing for closing, whereas the load on the damper stop on the guide for closing is relieved.

In the operating area of the damper, the damper fit surface and the damper head fit surface are constantly in contact with the two limiting surfaces:

-   -   when opening the door with the damper stop on the housing for         opening and with the damper stop on the guide for opening;     -   when closing the door with the damper stop on the housing for         closing and with the damper stop on the guide for closing.

A spring fit is installed at the upper part of the hinge body. The spring fit may be made of any material, while preferably it is made of plastic material. The spring fit is removable, but is fixed in the hinge body.

The latch is mounted on the hinge body with a fixed pivot point. The kinematics of the movement of all the components of the device according to this invention is determined by the position of:

-   -   the mounting axle of the latch to the hinge body, which enables         the rotation of the latch around the axle; and     -   the axle of the pivot point of the connecting link.

The other side of the latch is intended for mounting the door on the appliance and at the same time transferring the load from the door to the appliance, as well as providing the load-bearing function of the door. A door locking part is mounted on the latch to prevent the door from dropping down during closing.

One or more dampers, preferably one damper, is installed in the device according to the invention. A damper is preferably installed in the hinge guide.

The essence of the invention is further explained below with the description of the embodiment and attached figures, whereby the figures are part of this patent application and show the following:

FIG. 1 shows a latch 1, a connecting link 2, a hinge guide 3, a damper head 4, a damper 5, a hinge body 6, a spring fit 7 and a spring 8.

FIG. 2 shows a latch 1, a connecting link 2, a hinge guide 3, a damper head 4, a damper 5, a hinge body 6, a spring fit 7 and a spring 8.

FIG. 3 shows a hinge body 6, a damper stop on the housing for closing 21, a damper stop on the housing for opening 22 and a pivot point of the latch 31.

FIG. 4 shows a hinge guide 3, a damper stop on the guide for opening 23, a damper stop on the guide for closing 24.

FIG. 5 shows a damper head 4, a damper 5, a damper fit surface 25 and a damper head fit surface 26.

FIG. 6 shows a connecting link 2 and a pivot point of the connecting link 32.

FIG. 7 shows a latch 1, a pivot point of the latch 31 and a pivot point of the connecting link 32.

FIG. 8 shows a latch 1, a connecting link 2, a hinge guide 3, a damper head 4, a damper 5, a hinge body 6, a position for spring fit 7, a spring 8, a damper stop on the housing for closing 21, a damper stop on the housing for opening 22, a damper stop on the guide for opening 23, a damper stop on the guide for closing 24, a damper fit surface 25, a damper head fit surface 26, a pivot point of the latch 31 and a pivot point of the connecting link 32.

FIG. 9 shows a latch 1, a connecting link 2, a hinge guide 3, a damper head 4, a damper 5, a hinge body 6, a position for spring fit 7, a spring 8, a damper stop on the housing for closing 21, a damper stop on the housing for opening 22, a damper stop on the guide for opening 23, a damper stop on the guide for closing 24, a damper fit surface 25, a damper head fit surface 26, a pivot point of the latch 31 and a pivot point of the connecting link 32.

FIG. 10 shows a latch 1, a connecting link 2, a hinge guide 3, a damper head 4, a damper 5, a hinge body 6, a position for spring fit 7, a spring 8, a damper stop on the housing for closing 21, a damper stop on the housing for opening 22, a damper stop on the guide for opening 23, a damper stop on the guide for closing 24, a damper fit surface 25, a damper head fit surface 26, a pivot point of the latch 31 and a pivot point of the connecting link 32.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

The object of the invention in the exemplary embodiment is used for controlled opening and closing of an oven door. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the assembled object of the invention in the position of partial closure of an oven door.

FIG. 3 shows a hinge body 6. FIG. 4 shows a hinge guide 3. FIG. 5 shows a damper 5. FIG. 6 shows a connecting link 2, and FIG. 7 shows a latch 1.

The complete hinge is shown in a closed position in FIG. 8, in a neutral position in FIG. 9 and in an open position in FIG. 10. One damper 5 is installed in the hinge guide 3. The damper 5 contributes to a soft closing of the door.

The hinge comprises: a latch 1, a connecting link 2, a hinge guide 3, a damper 5, a hinge body 6, a spring fit 7, a spring 8, a pivot point of the latch 31 and a pivot point of the connecting link 32.

The hinge further comprises: a damper stop on the housing for closing 21, a damper stop on the housing for opening 22, a damper stop on the guide for opening 23 and a damper stop on the guide for closing 24.

The latch 1 is rotatable in relation to the hinge body 6 and the connecting link 2. Force is applied to the connecting link 2 through the hinge guide 3, which causes the rotation of the latch 1 in relation to the hinge body 6. The damper 5 is used to limit the movement speed of the hinge guide 3 in certain positions, whereby the damper 5 comes into contact with limiting surfaces through the damper fit surface 25 and the damper head fit surface 26.

The contact surfaces of the damper, i.e. the damper fit surface 25 and the damper head fit surface 26, are always in contact with two of the limiting surfaces, i.e. two of the following: the damper stop on the housing for closing 21 the damper stop on the housing for opening 22, the damper stop on the guide for opening 23 and the damper stop on the guide for closing 24. The damper 5 constantly applies force in the direction of extension or to increase the distance between the damper fit surface 25 and the damper head fit surface 26, whereas the hinge guide 3 is dimensioned in such a way that the distance between the damper stop on the guide for opening 23 and the damper stop on the guide for closing 24 is smaller than the maximum distance between the damper fit surface 25 and the damper head fit surface 26.

The latch 1 is mounted on the hinge body 6 with a pivot point of the latch 31. The other side of the latch 1, i.e. the side near the latch head, is intended for mounting the door on the appliance and at the same time transferring the load from the door to the appliance, as well as providing the load-bearing function of the door. A door locking part is mounted on the latch 1 to prevent the door from dropping down during closing.

It is self-evident that the above described invention can be also used in other particular form not changing the substance of the invention. 

1. A hinge for controlled door closing and opening with damper characterised in that the contact surfaces of the damper, i.e. the damper fit surface (25) and the damper head fit surface (26), are always in contact with two of the limiting surfaces, i.e. two of the following: the damper stop on the housing for closing (21), the damper stop on the housing for opening (22), the damper stop on the guide for opening (23) and the damper stop on the guide for closing (24), whereby the damper (5) in the initial position constantly applies force to increase the distance between the damper fit surface (25) and the damper head fit surface (26), whereas the hinge guide (3) is dimensioned in such a way that the distance between the damper stop on the guide for opening (23) and the damper stop on the guide for closing (24) is smaller than the maximum distance between the damper fit surface (25) and the damper head fit surface (26).
 2. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises the latch (1), the connecting link (2), the hinge guide (3), the damper (5), the hinge body (6), the spring fit (7), the spring (8), the pivot point of the latch (31) and the pivot point of the connecting link (32).
 3. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises the a damper stop on the housing for closing (21), the damper stop on the housing for opening (22), the damper stop on the guide for opening (23) and the damper stop on the guide for closing (24).
 4. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that it only one damper (5) is installed in the hinge for controlled door closing and opening, i.e. in the hinge guide (3).
 5. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the damper (5) is installed in the device in such a manner that it does not increase the exterior dimensions of the device, but is installed in the interior of the hinge guide (3) that is flexibly connected to the hinge body (6).
 6. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that when opening the door the damper fit surface (25) and the damper head fit surface (26) of the damper (5) are in contact with two limiting surfaces, i.e. the damper stop on the housing for opening (22) and the damper stop on the guide for opening (23).
 7. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that when closing the door the damper fit surface (25) and the damper head fit surface (26) of the damper (5) are in contact with two limiting surfaces, i.e. the damper stop on the housing for closing (21) and the damper stop on the guide for closing (24).
 8. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that in the neutral area of functioning of the mechanism, the contact surfaces of the damper (5), i.e. the damper fit surface (25) and the damper head fit surface (26) are constantly in contact with both limiting surfaces on the damper guide (3), i.e. with the damper stop on the guide for opening (23) and the damper stop on the guide for closing (24).
 9. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that during the opening of the door, near the open position, the damper stop on the guide for opening (23) passes the damper stop on the housing for opening (22), whereby the contact surface of the damper rests on the damper stop on the housing for opening (22), whereas the load on the damper stop on the guide for opening (23) is relieved.
 10. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that during the closing of the door, near the open position, the damper stop on the guide for closing (24) passes the damper stop on the housing for closing (21), whereby the contact surface of the damper rests on the damper stop on the housing for closing (21), whereas the load on the damper stop on the guide for closing (24) is relieved.
 11. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the kinematics of the movement of all the components of the device according to this invention is determined by the position of the pivot point of the latch (31) and the pivot point of the interconnecting link (32). 